Kerr County Commissioners Court extends disaster declaration, PIA suspension

Kerr County Commissioners Court unanimously approved a series of emergency measures Wednesday tied to the flooding that began July 16, voting 4-0 in each case. Commissioner Rich Paces wasn’t able to make the vote.

The court convened an emergency meeting at the previous Kerrville Municipal Court Building, posted with less than 72 hours notice under the Texas Open Meetings Act’s emergency provision because of the ongoing threat to public health and safety from the flooding.

Commissioners voted to extend the county’s Declaration of Local State of Disaster stemming from the severe storms and flooding, and authorized County Judge Rob Kelly to sign the extension.

The court also voted to extend the suspension of Texas Public Information Act requirements for an additional seven days beyond July 23 — the end of an initial suspension period that began July 17.

In a third action, commissioners approved a request to Gov. Greg Abbott, under Section 418.016(e) of the Texas Government Code, to suspend Section 232.0025 of the Local Government Code in Kerr County.